Bird deterrent apparatus and method for making same

ABSTRACT

A bird deterrent apparatus and method for making same includes a base member having slots and spike members which are shaped to form oppositely disposed prongs with an inverted “U” shape or arc positioned between the prongs. The arcs of the spike members are inserted through the slots in the base member and as a result, the prongs of the spike members extend from opposite sides of the base member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of, and priority to,provisional application serial No. 60/466,908, filed Apr. 30, 2003,which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a bird deterrentapparatus, and more particularly, to a bird deterrent apparatus having abase and at least one spike forming a pair of prongs and an arc betweenthe prongs where the arc is inserted through a slot in the base, and amethod for making the same.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] Overcoming bird infestation poses unique challenges. Bird controlproducts that prevent birds from roosting, nesting, and landing onbuildings and structures have been in existence for some time.

[0004] Typical bird deterrent devices known in the art include multipleprongs or spikes extending from a base. Since the prongs or spikes areextremely uncomfortable, birds avoid alighting on them and one cantherefore prevent birds from infesting specific places such as, forexample, roofs, cables, statues, signs, ledges, beams, trusses, ledges,sill, air conditioners, etc., by placing such devices near or on suchstructures.

[0005] Examples of typical bird deterrent devices having base structuresthat support a number of spikes or prongs can be seen in U.S. Pat. No.5,253,444, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,029, U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,552, U.S. Pat.No. 5,606,830, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,032, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,023, toname just a few. However, these devices all require time consumingproduction and manipulation to seat the spikes or prongs within the basethereby causing more costly and less reliable devices.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, easily constructedbird deterrent device which is not labor intensive to manufacture. Thereis also a need for a durable and reliable bird deterrent device havingspikes or prongs where the spikes or prongs are less susceptible tobreaking.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide aneffective, durable, and reliable bird deterrent apparatus that is costeffective and easy to manufacture.

[0008] In general, the present invention is directed to a bird deterrentapparatus which includes a base and a number of spikes extending fromthe base where the spikes are bent to generally form a “V” shape havingtwo prongs and the point of the “V” where the prongs meet is bent togenerally form an inverted “U” shape or arc. The base includes a numberof slots and the arc or inverted “U” shape of the spike is insertedthrough the slot so that the arc appears on top of the base and theprongs come from underneath the base and extend outward from oppositesides of the base.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the prongs of the variousspikes may be shaped to extend from the sides of the base at differentangles. For example, one spike may have prongs which extend from thesides of the base at approximately a 45 degree angle and the next spikepositioned on the base by inserting the arc of the spike through a slotin the base may have prongs which extend from the sides of the base atapproximately a 90 degree angle.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a second series ofsingle spikes may extend from the top of the base in a perpendicularfashion. These spikes are preferably comprised of the same material asthe base and are preferably injection molded as part of the base. Thissecond series of single spikes extending from the top of the base arepreferably shorter than the first series of spikes having the prongs.

[0011] In yet another aspect of the device, there may be a number ofspaced apart holes through the base which may be used to secure the baseto a structure with screws or nails. Alternatively, the base may besecured to a structure by various other means such as wire ties,adhesive, clamps, VELCRO hook and eye attachments, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Additional aspects of the present invention should be comeevident upon reviewing the non-limiting embodiments described in thespecification taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures,wherein like numerals designate like elements, and

[0013]FIG. 1 is a magnified perspective view of a portion of oneembodiment of the bird deterrent apparatus of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of one embodiment of thebase of the bird deterrent apparatus of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of the bird deterrentapparatus in FIG. 2 showing the flexibility of the device for coveringvarious types of surfaces and structures;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the base of the bird deterrentapparatus shown in FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the means for connecting aspike having prongs to the base in order to produce the bird deterrentapparatus of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a front cross sectional view of the bird deterrentapparatus of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the bird deterrent apparatusof the present shown installed on a structure;

[0020]FIG. 8 illustrates various embodiments of a spike member of thebird deterrent apparatus of the present invention;

[0021]FIGS. 9-11 show various alternative embodiments of the birddeterrent apparatus of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 12 illustrates one means for installing the bird deterrentdevice of the present invention;

[0023]FIGS. 13-14 show the bird deterrent device of the presentinvention installed on various structures; and

[0024]FIG. 15 illustrates alternative configurations for installing thebird deterrent apparatus of the present invention on ledges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments of theinvention only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicabilityor configuration of the invention in anyway. Rather, the followingdescription is intended to provide a convenient illustration forimplementing various embodiments of the invention. As will becomeapparent, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement ofthe elements described herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

[0026] In general, the present invention comprises a bird deterrentapparatus 10 having a base member 12 and a plurality of spike members 14which form oppositely disposed prongs 16 and an inverted “U” shape orarc 18 between prongs 16. Base member 12 has a plurality of slots 20 forreceiving arcs 18. Arcs 18 are fitted through slots 20 and prongs 16extend from underneath base member 12 and around the sides of basemember 12 so that oppositely disposed prongs 16 extend from oppositesides of base member 12.

[0027] Base member 12 may also comprise a plurality of pairs ofoppositely disposed notches 22 on the sides of base member 12 forreceiving oppositely disposed prongs 16. Base member 12 may furthercomprise a plurality of secondary spike members 24 which extendperpendicularly from the top 26 of base member 12.

[0028] Spike members 14 are preferably comprised of stainless steel andprongs 16 of spike members 14 are preferably longer in length thansecondary spike members 24. Secondary spike members 24 are preferablycomprised of a polycarbonate, or other polymers, with ultravioletinhibitors in order to increase resistance to weather and other harshenvironments. Base member 12 is preferably formed by injection moldingand is also preferably comprised of a polycarbonate, or other polymers,having ultraviolet inhibitors. However, those skilled in the art willappreciate that base member 12 may be formed of a variety of othersturdy materials including metal and that base member 12 comprisingother materials may be formed in other ways, such as, for example,stamping a metal material to form base number 12. Further, secondaryspike members 24 may be injection molded along with base member 12 aspart of base member 12. Alternatively, secondary spike members 24 may besecured to top 26 of base member 12 by fitting secondary spike members24 into apertures contained within top 26 of base member 12 and securingsecondary spike members 24 in the apertures with a strong adhesive orthe like.

[0029] Base member 12 may also include a plurality of apertures 28 whichextend from top 26 of base member 12 through the bottom surface 30 ofbase member 12 (See FIG. 4) so that bird deterrent apparatus 10 may beaffixed or secured to a structure by inserting nails or screws throughapertures 28 and into the structure.

[0030] Turning now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of base member 12 ofbird deterrent apparatus 10 is shown. As previously described, secondaryspike members 24 may be injection molded as part of base member 12 ormay be separately secured to top 26 of base member 12. Base member 12may comprise a series of oppositely disposed protrusions 30 positionedalong its sides with oppositely disposed protrusions 30 containingoppositely disposed notches 22 for receiving prongs 16 of spike members14. Base member 12 shown in FIG. 2 also includes apertures 28 forenabling easy attachment to structures.

[0031] The flexibility of base member 12 is illustrated in FIG. 3 whichshows base member 12 bent along line X in the form of a circle. Basemember 12 along with spike members 14 and secondary spike members 24 areformed and configured to easily follow the bends and curves of anystructure so that bird deterrent apparatus 10 can be effective in almostany location. A bottom plan view of base member 12 is shown in FIG. 4.Slots 20 which are positioned between each pair of oppositely disposednotches 22 and which extend through base member 12 from top 26 throughbottom 30 are also shown. Apertures 28 which pass through top 26 andbottom 30 of base member 12 are also shown and the position of wheresecondary spike members 24 extend from top 26 of base member 12 areshown in phantom.

[0032]FIG. 5 shows the insertion means for connecting a spike havingprongs to the base having slots in order to produce the bird deterrentapparatus 10 of the present invention. As previously described, basemember 12 includes slots 20 which pass from top 26 of base member 12through bottom 30 of base member 12. The arc 18 of spike member 14 isinserted through slot 20 from the bottom 30 of base member 12. As arc 18passes through slot 20, prongs 16 of spike member 14 pass along oppositeouter sides of base member 12. Upon completion of the insertion throughslot 20, arc 18 resides above top 26 of base member 12 and the bends 34in spike member 14 which are located between arc 18 and prongs 16 arehooked underneath base member 12 as shown in FIG. 6. As a result,notches 22 in the sides of base member 12 receive prongs 16 which extendupward and beyond top 26 from opposite sides of base member 12. Securingspike members 14 to base member 12 in this way results in an easier andmore cost effective way to produce a bird deterrent device. In contrast,other devices require spikes or prongs to be inserted through very smallholes in order to secure the spikes to a base.

[0033] Prongs 16 may extend from base member 12 at various angles inrelation to base member 12. For example, prongs 16 may extend from thesides of base member 12 in approximately a ninety degree angle inrelation to base member 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 by arrow 40 or inapproximately a forty-five degree angle in relation to base member 12 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 8 by arrow 42. It should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that prongs 16 may extend from sides of base member12 at any angle. FIG. 8 shows examples of various positions of whichprongs 16 may extend from base member 12. Further, prongs 16 in thepresent invention may be bent to the various angled positions by a user.

[0034]FIG. 7 shows bird deterrent apparatus 10 of the present inventionsecured to the top 50 of a structure 52. The embodiment of birddeterrent apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 7 includes pairs of prongs 16 thatextend form base member 12 in angles that alternate betweenapproximately forty-five degrees and ninety degrees. FIGS. 9-11 showvarious alternative embodiments of the bird deterrent apparatus of thepresent invention. FIG. 10 shows an embodiment similar to that shown inFIG. 7 while FIG. 9 shows an embodiment having pairs of prongs allextending from approximately a ninety degree angle from base member 12.FIG. 11 shows an embodiment having pairs of oppositely disposed prongsthat alternate in extending from various angles that are even morepronounced than those shown in FIG. 10.

[0035]FIG. 12 illustrates one means for installing the bird deterrentdevice of the present invention to a structure. An adhesive 60 used tobond dry, clean surfaces when the temperature is between 32 degrees F.and 120 degrees F. may be used by applying a bead of the adhesive tobottom 30 of base member 12 and pressing base member 12 against astructure. Apertures 28 in base member 12 may also be used to securebird deterrent apparatus 10 to a structure by inserting screws or nailsthrough them. Wire ties, clamps, and VELCRO hook and eye type fastenersmay also be used to secure apparatus 10 to a structure. One or many ofthese installation means may be used to secure apparatus 10 to astructure.

[0036] The bird deterrent device of the present invention is showninstalled on various structures in FIGS. 13-14. Single strips or rows ofthe apparatus 10 may be installed in a number of configurations andpatterns. Further, as previously described above, bird deterrentapparatus 10 is flexible and able to follow bends and curves instructures as shown in FIG. 13. Finally, FIG. 14 shows examples ofvarious configurations for installing bird deterrent apparatus 10 on aledge or the like. One or more bird deterrent apparatus strips 10 may beused, or even a half of the strip may be used and angles of prongs 16may vary in each configuration.

[0037] Finally, in another embodiment of bird deterrent apparatus 10,both base member 12, spike members 14, and secondary spike members 24may be coated with a polyethylene material or the like to provide adurable, rust-resistant device.

[0038] Thus, it should be apparent that many alterations of the birddeterrent apparatus embodiments described herein may be made. Forexample, as mentioned above, the prongs may extend from the base atvarying angles. Further, the lengths and widths of the prongs as well asthe second spike members may vary. In addition, drawbacks of the priorart are solved. For example, prongs or spikes are easily attached to thebase in the present invention by snapping an arc of a spike memberthrough a slot in the base. This reduces production time and decreasescosts.

[0039] Lastly, various aspects of the invention have been described inillustrative embodiments. Of course, many combinations and modificationsof the above-described structures, arrangements, proportions, elements,materials and components, used in the practice of the invention, inaddition to those not specifically described, may be varied andparticularly adapted to specific environments and operating requirementswithout departing from those principles.

1. A bird repellant device comprising: a base member having a pluralityof pairs of oppositely disposed notches and a slot positioned betweeneach of said pairs of notches; and a plurality of spike members eachforming oppositely disposed prongs and an arc between said prongswherein each of said arcs is inserted through one of said slots and saidprongs are positioned in said pairs of notches.
 2. The bird repellantdevice of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of second spike memberswherein each spike member is perpendicularly attached to a top of saidbase member.
 3. The bird repellant device of claim 1 wherein said pairof oppositely disposed prongs extend from said arc at an angle.
 4. Thebird deterrent device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of spike memberscomprise stainless steel or other metals which may be powder coated orpainted.
 5. The bird deterrent device of claim 2 wherein said pluralityof second spike members comprise a polycarbonate or other polymers. 6.The bird repellant device of claim 1 wherein said pairs of oppositelydisposed prongs extend from their arcs at varying angles.
 7. The birdrepellant apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base further comprises aplurality of circular apertures therethrough.
 8. A bird deterrentapparatus comprising: a base having a plurality of slots therein; atleast one primary spike member bent to form first and second prongs andan arc between said prongs for inserting through one of said slots; andat least one second spike member perpendicularly attached to a topsurface of said base.
 9. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 8 whereineach of said first and second prongs extend from said arc at an angle.10. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first andsecondary prongs extend from opposite sides of said base or the sameside of said base.
 11. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 8 whereinsaid first spike member comprises stainless steel or other metals whichmay be powder coated or painted.
 12. The bird deterrent apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein said second spike member comprises a polycarbonate orother polymers.
 13. The bird deterrent apparatus of claim 10 comprisinga plurality of first spike members wherein the prongs of said firstspike members extend from their arcs at varying angles.
 14. The birddeterrent apparatus of claim 8 wherein said base further comprises aplurality of apertures therethrough.
 15. A method for making a birddeterrent device comprising the steps of: providing a base member havinga plurality of slots therethrough; and forming at least one first spikemember to have oppositely disposed prongs and an arc between saidprongs; and inserting said arc in said slot such that said oppositelydisposed prongs extend around opposite sides of said base.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 further comprising the step of providing at least onesecond spike member positioned perpendicular to a top of said base. 17.The method of claim 15 wherein the step of providing a base memberfurther comprises the step of forming oppositely disposed notches onopposite sides of said base member for receiving said prongs.